The first thing I found interesting was she was out promoting the bond issue before the school board has even voted on the special election (They vote on it July 23). She talks about the problem of re-districting and how it will be done AFTER the schools are built, which is putting the cart in front of the horse. It should be done before the bond vote. She shows how some of the schools are under utilized. She continues to mention that re-districting is hard and will come with some challenges. She talks about how they may use the school for the deaf area for a new Whittier (but says that is off the record). She also talks about losing housing in the ‘Poorer’ neighborhood if they build Whittier in current location. One person in the crowd asks an interesting question, “Where will the money come from to staff the new buildings?” Cynthia really didn’t have an answer except that “They hope not to have another opt-out.” She than goes on to say, “They will have to figure it out.” So basically they are asking for around $300 million to build new schools without a plan to staff them. Speaking of the $300 million number, Cynthia never mentions the principal + interest with the bond. It seems to be the dirty little secret about this bond issue, NO one will talk about the total cost of these bonds. Should this be considered lying by public officials? NO. But it certainly is very dishonest to not give the voters these numbers.

One Thought on “Sioux Falls School Board Member Cynthia Mickelson says some interesting things about open enrollment and the school bond issue

  1. I believe the core of the current Whittier School dates back to the 1880s and is the oldest structure still in use, that is a part of our school system, is that not right?

    Given that, I think it would be sad to demolish that building. Hopefully, it will have an other use, if it is to not be used as a school no longer.

    However, I find it fitting that the former School for the Deaf area might be the location for a new Whittier, because the current transparency on this proposed opt-out is itself sadly deaf to the ear.

    Oh, and I still want to know how much of a windfall the City, County, and Board have or will receive in the next two years from the revaluation of properties in this town due to the hyper inflation with the value of median priced homes in this town. For we need to be transparent with this before we can ask for any more money, I believe.

    #SaveWhittier

Post Navigation